Governor R.N. Ravi continues to disrespect people of T.N., says Speaker

Assembly Speaker criticizes Governor R.N. Ravi's actions at All India Presiding Officers’ Conference, calls for Constitutional amendments.

Assembly Speaker M. Appavu on Monday said at a meeting of his counterparts from across the country that the activities of Governor R.N. Ravi were “deeply worrying” . He said the Governor continued to “disrespect the people of Tamil Nadu, their elected government, and the century-old Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly”. Mr. Appavu also staged a walkout after his comments were not included in the minutes of the meeting.

Citing the recommendations of the Punchhi Commission, Mr. Appavu said, “The State Legislature should be empowered to remove the Governor through a resolution (similar to the process of impeachment of the President as per Article 61 of the Constitution), and the phrase, “The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President” from Article 156 of the Constitution should be deleted.”

Mr. Appavu was speaking at the 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Patna on Monday. Despite a word of caution from Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan that his comments would not be recorded in the minutes of the meeting, Mr. Appavu made the comments.

As per Article 176(1) of the Constitution, at the commencement of the first session of the Assembly each year, the Governor shall address the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Appavu said, adding, “But since assuming office, the present Governor of Tamil Nadu has been making a mockery of the Constitutional provisions.”

In 2023, the Governor ignored the names of many prominent leaders and schemes in his speech, Mr. Appavu said, and added: Moreover, after completing the speech, the Governor hastily walked away without even standing for the National Anthem, thereby insulting the National Anthem, which is condemnable.”

“The Governor continues to disrespect the people of Tamil Nadu, their elected government, and the century-old Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Such activities by Governors are increasingly taking place not only in Tamil Nadu but also in States ruled by Opposition parties, which is amusing,” Mr. Appavu said.

Various commissions on Centre-State relations, such as Rajamannar Commission, Sarkaria Commission, Venkatachaliah Commission and Punchhi Commission, had given recommendations for consulting the Chief Minister while appointing the Governor, he said. Further, the Punchhi Commission had also recommended that the convention of making the Governor the Chancellor of the university should be done away with, he said.